Wolfe Law Group

Wolfe Law Group, a construction boutique firm on First Avenue in SoDo, can offer something special to the residents of Western Washington in the aftermath of its devastating floods: post-disaster legal experience.

Prior to opening its doors in Seattle earlier this year, the firm practiced exclusively out of its New Orleans office, and weathered the economic and social twists and turns of the post-Katrina era.

Today, the firm published a “Top Ten” list of ways to avoid construction scams, and with first hand knowledge and recent memory echoes the WA Attorney General’s warning to residents to beware of post-catastrophe scam-artists.

“Sadly, victims of widespread disasters have to pay close attention to this,” said Scott Wolfe, founding partner of the firm. “From our experience in New Orleans, the affected residents get put in tight financial spots during the post-disaster period, and are particularly vulnerable to scams.”

Doug Resier, an attorney in the firm’s Seattle office, highlights that there’s no shortage on those willing to take advantage of the vulnerable.

“A lot of people see the billions of dollars being poured into a disaster area and rush in to take their share,” said Reiser. “After Katrina, thousands came into the area to capitalize on the rebuilding work. In fact, we found there were many people who spent their lives chasing disasters and the quick cash that could be made by catching victims off guard.”

The firm published an article on its blog with some insight as to why disaster victims are vulnerable to construction scams, how they happen and how to avoid them. A list of the “Top Ten” ways to avoid a construction scam is included in the article, and the list, without its notes, is reproduced at the bottom of this release.

“In post-Katrina New Orleans, our firm has represented hundreds of homeowners, contractors, architects and engineers in projects of all shapes and sizes to help residents rebuild their lives,” said Wolfe. “Unfortunately, a poorly informed decision can cost a victim further heartache, expense and delay. Our advice to victims is to take a deep breath before hiring a contractor, do some research, and hire experienced counsel.”

How to Avoid Construction Scams
Top Ten Red Flags and Tips

1. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Don’t let your contractor find you, find your contractor.
3. A permit is not a license, insurance is not a license. A license is a license.
4. Be weary of unstructured payment plans, and upfront deposits.
5. Nothing good can come from dealing in cash.
6. Contractors who promise to work with your insurance company or promise to get you insurance proceeds are likely pulling a scam.
7. Insurance Certificate copies do not always equal insurance coverage, and Insurance will not cover poor workmanship and/or work defects.
8. If your contractor doesn’t want to get a building permit, he might not be a contractor.
9. You should get a written contract, and the contract should be more than an “estimate” or “invoice.”
10. Hiring an attorney is a prudent investment.

About Us
Wolfe Law Group has construction lawyers in Seattle, WA and New Orleans, LA. Our practice focuses on serving the construction industry and the parties involved with construction projects. In post-Katrina New Orleans we’ve worked on hundreds of construction projects of all shapes and sizes. Since Hurricane Katrina, the firm has also represented plaintiffs against their insurance companies and negotiated over 3 million dollars in insurance settlements.

Wolfe Law: http://www.wolfelaw.com

Article on how to avoid Construction Scams:
http://blog.wolfelaw.com/2007/12/beware-of-construction-scams-in-post.html

SEATTLE, WA November 14, 2007 — Doug S. Reiser has joined the Seattle office of Wolfe Law Group, L.L.C. as an associate in the Construction and Business practice group.

Douglas Reiser was born and raised in a small rural town in Northeastern Ohio. Later he attended the College of Wooster, where he was a college athlete, and was awarded a B.A. in Political Science. Upon graduating from college, Doug left his native state to attend law school at Loyola University in New Orleans, LA. While in law school, Doug attended a semester in New York City at Fordham University School of Law and a summer semester in Vienna, Austria. Doug recently obtained his J.D. degree in May 2007. Doug was offered admission to the Bar in Washington State and was sworn into the Washington State Bar Association on November 8, 2007.

Doug spent his childhood earning money while working on the floor at a factory his father managed. There he was exposed to business and labor force regulation. As a young man, Doug labored on both union and non-union commercial construction projects for a private construction firm in the Midwest.

The grandson of an entrepreneurial attorney, Doug gained an early respect for the practice of law. Once given the opportunity to gain experience in the field, Doug spent time working with both large firms and solo practitioners. Doug has worked in the legal field in Cleveland, OH, New York, NY, New Orleans, LA and now Seattle, WA.

Doug also spent time working for the New York City Council’s Office of General Counsel in the Infrastructure Division. There he drafted and litigated legislation impacting residential and commercial builders.

Prior to joining the Wolfe Law Group in December of 2006, Doug, an avid sports fan, worked in Media Relations, writing stories on player development for the current day Triple AAA affiliate of the New York Mets, the New Orleans Zephyrs.

About Wolfe Law
Construction lawyers with offices in New Orleans, LA and Seattle WA.

Our founding attorney comes from three generations of contractors and entrepreneurs, giving Wolfe Law Group a valuable perspective on business and construction law. We personally know the frustration of a non-paying construction job, dealing with a defaulting party in a contract or even having to come to terms with a contractor whose workmanship is poor.

Wolfe Law Group focuses its practice on serving the construction industry and those dealing with the construction, including the following services: contract drafting and review, dispute resolution, lien preparations and challenges, construction licensing, litigation, business formation, the protection of your intellectual property and more.

Our firms unique offerings and success has been recognized by New Orleans’ leading business publication, New Orleans City Business Magazine. In 2006 and 2007, the publication recognized the firm in its annual “Leadership in Law” insert, and honored founding attorney Scott Wolfe Jr. as one of the Top 50 attorneys in the New Orleans Metro Area.

The construction field can present many legal challenges. Our firm would be excited to discuss how we can help your organization field these challenges, and how we can become Your Company’s New Legal Department.

NEW ORLEANS, LA November 13, 2007 — Wolfe Law Group is happy to announce that Seth J. Bloom has joined the firm as of counsel in our insurance litigation department.

Seth Bloom is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and has lived in New Orleans for almost seven years. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and family roots brought him to New Orleans and Loyola University Law School where he served on the Honor Board and received his J.D.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, State of Louisiana Bar Association, Eastern District of Louisiana Federal Bar Association, Fifth Circuit Court of Federal Appeals, New Orleans Bar Association, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, New Orleans Federal Bar Association (the largest federal bar association in the United States) and is on the Board of Directors of the Young Lawyers New Orleans Federal Bar Association. He is also a New Orleans Civil Sheriff and a notary public.